Looking Toward The Future:
The Class Of 2000 Speaks

Published: September 19, 1999 12:00AM

Kristin Saner, a student in Wooster High School's Class of 2000, is a card-carrying member of the technological revolution, while interested in a career that utilizes the wisdom of earlier generations.

Sprinkled throughout her comments assessing her special graduating class are references to concepts and ideals that span generations.

The information overload available to Saner and her peers is part of the norm for them, she said.

"It's not overwhelming. We've been taught to use all that we have. To me, it's just a convenience for school (and other endeavors.) It's nice to have so many ways to reach all of that (information)."

Agreeing that the Class of 2000 could be characterized as being "in transition, getting over the technological hump," she is far from content with the new status quo.

"My generation is just looking for the next thing to come to make things easier. We're excited to see what's coming next."

Saner doesn't even mind the intrusion that is a byproduct of advanced technology -- high-tech security systems -- recognizing that they are utilized for her protection.

She does mind the climate of violence that necessitates the high-level scrutiny.

"One of the scariest days of my life was the day after Columbine. Seeing it happening was terrifying."

Columbine, Colo., will forever be a symbol of this period in time, a watchword for the violence that to Saner is "more frightening than disease or nuclear warfare."

"I worry about all the violence and hatred," she said. "That's the epidemic right now -- all the intolerance. That's the scariest thing; that alone can lead to horrible, unimaginable things."

She believes the biggest social ill is intolerance, persisting in spite of curriculum aimed at multiculturalism and appreciation of diversity.

"People are scared to have open minds," she said.

She is concerned that the only ones listening to a new way of thinking are those who were already tolerant.

"The majority don't even care."

Saner's beliefs don't give her a gloom and doom approach to life, however. One of her extracurricular activities is membership on the steering committee of REACT, a leadership club whose goal is "to unite the school" (see related story on page B1).

"Hate stems from people feeling inadequate and needing to cut other people down to make themselves feel better," she said.

No matter where kids are getting their information, Saner believes, their parents are still driving forces in their lives.

"Teenagers are really affected by divorce. I know seniors who have had so many problems because of that," Saner said, acknowledging that "some families do work out better that way."

She is thankful for her own parents, Mark and Mindy Saner, who have taught her a multitude of life principles.

As Saner looks toward her future, she veers slightly off the technological highway, with plans for a vocation in herbal medicine with a major in botany at Miami University.

She is looking toward "more integrated medicine -- non-traditional medicine and natural healing to go along with traditional medicine that is needed."

"I love plants," she said.

A Good Time To Be A Teenager

Tiffany Schlabach

HILAND -- Hiland senior Tiffany Schlabach says this is a good time to be a teenager.

"It presents a lot of challenges and (as the Class of 2000) we'll be looked up to as the leaders for the next millennium."

The daughter of Ken and Edith Schlabach of Walnut Creek, takes that responsibility seriously and hopes she will be able to maintain her high standards and morals.

"There's definitely a lot of stuff out there that can bring you down.

"There are a whole lot of pressures and new things coming out all the time, but I'm sure that will always be there."

Every generation faces something different, and, in that way, every generation is the same.

What will happen will depend on changes in the world, she says.

The reports of the recent shootings in schools caused her concern about violence among teens, but she does not dwell on it. "If I saw signs it could happen, then I would want to take action," she says.

Schlabach says technological advances, like computers, come more easily to teens because "We grew up with them."

The senior says she doesn't worry too much about problems in the future because, "God is in control."

The biggest concern among her peer group is "what to do with our lives and whether we'll be happy with our choices," she says.

"It's a challenge just to be a part of all this. I want to be aware of what's going on, but still stay myself," she says.

She plans to attend college and pursuing a career in social work.

A Generation Of Differences

Molly McClelland

WEST HOLMES -- For 17-year-old Molly McClelland and her peers, being a teen is harder than it was when their parents were their age. At least that's what they believe.

She is the daughter of Charley and Barbara McClelland of Millersburg and a senior at West Holmes High School.

"It's tougher to put up with the peer pressure, and you can get conned into doing stuff you wouldn't want to do."

There's a great deal of pressure to conform. And, what are the consequences of non-conformity? "You're not in the 'cool' crowd; you're not popular."

While picking a college and thinking about what she's going to be top her lists of major concerns, "Right now I'm just worried about passing government (class)," she said.

This separates her from her parents, she said, explaining, "I think my parents were getting married at my age."

And what of the future? What will it bring for her and her peers?

"I think we will accomplish stuff and be good people," she said, "but I don't think we will make any world differences."

Worried About The Same Stuff

Tara Gerber

DALTON -- Members of the Class of 2000 at Dalton High School basically have the same coming of age concerns their parents did, said Tara Gerber, student council president at DHS.

"We still worry about pretty much the same stuff," Gerber said, "like 'How are my grades?' 'Do I have any friends?' 'What am I going to wear?' 'What am I going to do when I grow up?'"

That's not to say that a society nearing a new millennium has stayed static, she said, or that today's teens aren't bombarded with choices and information their parents couldn't have dreamed of.

"We're exposed to a lot more earlier in life," Gerber said. "Even my younger sisters know a lot of things earlier than I did. It's out there."

"It," she said includes all kinds of knowledge, including sexual connotations, references to drugs and alcohol, and an awareness of violence and other human failings. "It was there for my parents, too," said the daughter of Ted and Beth Gerber. "You can't just float through life thinking, 'I'll decide when I get there.' You have to make a decision in order to survive."

Goal-setting, too, happens early, she said, because "we don't really want to do 'Fries with that?' for the rest of our life."

Y2K graduates don't necessarily have it tougher than the rest of the school's alumni, Gerber said, but they are perhaps more mindful of the consequences of their behavior; sexual activity can result in not just pregnancy, but also STDs and AIDS; drug use can have fatal side effects, and snubbing a classmate in the hall may play a part in a deadly retribution.

"We have the same social issued," Gerber said, "just on a larger scale."

Of course, she agreed, Dalton High's population of 320 students growing up in the conservative Midwest may not be representative of the nation's graduating seniors. Her class, however, has no delusions about their small-town way of life.

"We're very sheltered, Gerber said of her fellow students, (but) this is not a safe haven. We have the same problems everyone else does." The key to dealing with those issues, she said, is determining to avoid the victim mentality that leads to labeling for an entire generation.

"You and only you have the ability to change (your reactions to difficulties)," she said. "I want to live as an example of that."

Say Goodbye To The Oregon Trail

Annie Tipton

TRIWAY -- Being a member of the much anticipated turn-of-the-century Class of 2000 isn't especially significant to Triway High School senior Annie Tipton.

She said that the first time she heard that the date carried any importance was when an elementary school teacher told her fourth grade class.

Now that she knows what it means, she still "doesn't regard it as anything different."

Tipton does recognize the special privileges afforded her class.

"I kind of feel like we are the beginning of total technology. When we were young, we played "The Oregon Trail" (on computer). The vast majority of us are able to function (in a technological world). I'm very grateful for everything we can do."

One of her biggest dislikes is apparently timeless. "Peer pressure -- trying to impress everyone. It's so trivial, but so important to almost every teen."

"I worry about how people perceive me too much," she admitted.

Tipton's biggest social concern is lack of respect between generations.

"It hurts me when I see my peers disrespect people in authority."

She also worries that in her age group "tolerance has gone way too far towards accepting everything."

"You have to accept people, but not everything they do," she said, adding that tolerance should go both directions.

Due to her variety of interests, Tipton said she is "accepted by almost every clique at school."

That healthy kind of acceptance Tipton, the daughter of Scott and Marla Tipton, attributes to still another timeless concept -- The Golden Rule.

"Treat everyone the way you want to be treated," she said.

Shaffer's Dream Is In The Air

Elliott Shaffer

SMITHVILLE -- Elliott Shaffer likes being able to walk down the halls of Smithville High School and know everyone he sees.

But small town does not always signify small dreams. Shaffer has been working since 1998 to earn his pilot's license and has paid for it with money earned by working at Grinders in Orrville.

Even though his parents, Dave and Carolyne Haynes of Marshallville, were willing to help financially, he has not taken them up on the offer.

Shaffer plans to attend Ohio University to study aviation and have a career with the U.S. Air Force.

Although his parents may not have experienced this great information age when they were in high school, Shaffer says that more information has just made everyday tasks easier.

"But it hasn't made growing up any easier. I don't think (this generation is) expected to achieve anything, but I think every kid's generation feels that way."

A Plan For Her Future

Stephanie Ambrose

HILLSDALE -- Stephanie Ambrose, a member of the Hillsdale High School Class of 2000, has her future firmly decided.

"I'm going to Bowling Green State University to become a dietician. Members of my family have a variety of health problems; heart problems, allergies -- my grandfather died of cancer, so that's been a major issue in my life.

"There are so many contradictions (in the media) where food is concerned. Just when you hear something is good for you and you should eat it, another study comes out that says it causes cancer. People only have one body and eating is one of the big ways the body responds to stay healthy. I want to find out what's going on."

Money is Ambrose's main concern for the immediate future. "I'm going to a state school next year because it's cheaper ... but it's still going to be a struggle to pay for everything."

Ambrose feels that as a society, Americans fall short of their duty to others. "Most people figure if they're OK, they don't care what's happening in the rest of the world. My sister is in Poland now and tells me about stuff going on there that people here are totally unaware of. People need to be more aware."

Unlike ages past, Ambrose has no heroes. "Yeah, like our president," she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes, "I never did have anyone specific I wanted to model my life after even as a little girl. Teachers would ask us to chose people for reports or whatever, but there was never anyone that made me say that's how I want to be."

Ambrose also feels that the nation is the responsibility of those currently in power. "How big of an impact can we make now?" she mused.

Ambrose is the daughter of Tom and Laurie Ambrose of Loudonville.

Knowing We Are The Future

Sheri Masters

ORRVILLE -- "I've noticed an awareness with our class that we seem to know that we are special," said Orrville High School senior Sheri Masters. "Maybe it's a special gift or an awareness that we are the future."

The "big hype" of being in the Class of 2000 has really hit since school started.

The daughter of Paul Masters and Linda Grimes, she is concerned, she said, about how adults, especially, see her class.

"I think there's a stereotype that we're all druggies and that we all have sex before marriage."

Drug use, she said, is probably the same as it has always been with adolescents experimenting like they have for decades.

"Personally, I think (using drugs) is a waste of time," she said. "There are much more fun things, productive things, to do to have fun. It messes up your mind..."

Life as a teenager is stressful, she said, and sometimes adults don't realize what teens are going through. "There is pressure in knowing that you're growing up very soon. ... It's scary to know that you're going to be leaving in a year... But while I want to be responsible and do well in school (she wants to be a veterinarian), I still want to have a good time while I'm in college. I don't want to be a hermit just so I can get good grades."